Sorry for taking so long to get this chapter posted. Life has been insane, and haven't had as much time as I'd like to work on this story. The next couple chapters are pretty much finished though, and I will post them very soon. Hope everyone enjoys this chapter.

His large hands felt the weight of the object in his pocket. It felt like a ton of bricks dragging him to the ground, but he struggled to stay upright as he plunged forward, moving deeper into the forest. He stopped just in front of an old oak tree, whose branches were hanging low to the ground as its trunk leaned sharply to the left. Reaching into his pocket he pulled out the two pieces of the necklace, fumbling with it in his hand.

There was a faint sound of hoof beats coming closer to his position and he quickly laid the necklace pieces at the foot of the tree, darting away as quickly as his heavy body would allow him. From a spot a few yards away he saw two unicorns approach the tree, both of them bending their heads down to look at the object at near the base. Each unicorn grabbed a piece of the necklace in their teeth, then turned to leave casting a quick glance in his direction as they hurried away.

> > > >

The rest had done him well. As he opened his eyes he felt completely refreshed, save for the burning sensation on his left arm. He could still make out the teeth marks from Nagini's bite, and a part of him cursed the creature for having touched him, but another part cursed himself for allowing himself to sink so low. The snake venom was already having its effect on him and he could feel himself slowly beginning to change.

He knew they were getting close to completing the potion. He need only hold out a bit longer before all would be well. Sighing he swung his legs over so he could sit up from the cot he was resting on and he slowly got to his feet. He realized his mind was clearer that it had been in many months as he shuffled towards the door. With a smile he took hold of the knob, carefully opening the door so could exit the room.

Making his way down the hall, he passed the small blanket where Nagini had taken to sleeping on the rare occasion the creature decided she needed to rest. As he passed by it he saw her curled up, her long slender body motionless in the darkened corner.

"You've awakened." His master's voice rang out as he approached the end of the hall, slowly entering the open door before him.

"I'm feeling much better now."

"Very well, then we must continue."

He could see the small wrapped creature lying near the cauldron and he took a few steps towards it. "What is the next step?"

"Add a bit of dragon's blood and unicorn's hair." His master began to give him his instructions and he was quick to follow them.

> > > >

Severus was the last one through the fireplace and he quickly brushed his jeans off before he stepped onto the mat that Dumbledore had placed just in front of the fireplace.

"Where's Dumbledore?" Daniel asked as he and the others looked around the empty office.

"He should be here momentarily." The Potions Master looked down at his soot-covered t-shirt, shaking his head. "Damn. Now I have to change."

Carter stifled a laugh at how peculiar the usually stoic wizard sounded as he tapped at his shirt with his wand, trying unsuccessfully to clean the soot off.

"There's not a spell to clear it away?"

Before Severus could answer a voice from the far corner of the room spoke up. "There is indeed."

"Dumbledore?" Daniel blinked a few times trying to figure out just where the older man had come from, since no one had heard him enter. Even Teal'c seemed surprised to see the headmaster in his office.

"Forgive my tardiness, but I had something rather important to attend to. It took a bit longer than I'd anticipated." Waving his wand, the older wizard took a step towards Severus. He flicked his wrist, a blue light shot forth and Snape's shirt was instantly cleaned. "A rather interesting muggle t-shirt, you have there."

"Why is it that I can never do a spell properly in this office?" Severus did little to hide how perturbed he was as he laid his wand on his lap.

"You can thank the previous headmasters for that, Severus. They thought it amusing to bewitch the office so that only a headmaster could spell properly while in here."

Growling softly Severus shook his head as Daniel coughed to politely get the attention of the two wizards. Both turned abruptly and Dumbledore motioned for them to be seated as he pointed his wand at four seats, causing them to slide backwards so that the members of SG-1 could more easily reach them.

"We've much to discuss. I am most anxious to hear of your dreams, Mr. Teal'c." The headmaster slipped his wand into his robes then rubbed his hands together with a smile on his face.

"They have been a great disturbance to me." Teal'c began but before he could say more a loud CRACK was heard through the office window and Severus jumped to his feet to see what was going on.

"It's the centaurs, Headmaster."

The disturbed expression on Snape's face made the others wonder what the normally peaceful creatures could be doing to make that sort of noise.

"If you three will remain here, Severus and I will return momentarily." Receiving nods from the three SG-1 members, Dumbledore and Severus took their leave.

Daniel watched from the window as the centaurs approached the school at a gallop. The loud crack they had heard was Hagrid's hut being demolished as the centaurs threw large boulders at it on their way to the castle.

"What are they doing? I thought they were good guys?" The archeologist ran his fingers through his shaggy brown hair, sighing heavily as he saw Dumbledore swiftly moving towards the angry creatures with his wand held out in front of him, Severus just steps behind him.

> > > >

The potion was left to brew. It would take a few more months before it was ready to add the final ingredients, but even that didn't seem like long enough to Jack. His mind and body ached from grueling process of making this complicated potion. He'd had to resort to using a combination of snake and spider venom to keep himself going until now. Very few wizards knew that mixing the two would create such an effect. Nagini had been all too delighted to sink her fangs into his flesh giving him the boost he needed, but now he would hopefully get to rest.

As he leaned back against the thin mattress his mind drifted back to a long forgotten memory, forcing him to close his eyes as sleep slowly overtook him.

"Come on, Jack! There's little else we can do. We're bound to the Dark Lord. These are proof enough of it." Severus lifted the sleeve of his robe to show the mark on his left arm.

"You think I don't know what this means!" Jack pointed to his own arm where the same mark rested. "I know very well what this brand means, and it's because of YOU that I do!"

As soon as the words left his lips he regretted them. The painful look on his brother's face was enough to make him look away in shame.

"I'm sorry. I never meant for you to be a part of this."

"I shouldn't have said that, Sev. This isn't your fault."

Shaking his head, Severus combed his fingers through his oily black locks. "It's too late to turn back now. We have to find another way."

"I have an idea. I need to get to Lily and James. If I can convince them to go into hiding we might be able to save them."

"You don't know that. It could just make things worse, especially if you get caught."

Jack gave off a disheartened groan. He knew there was a distinct possibility that he would get caught. Voldemort's spies were everywhere, and if even one of them saw him going near the Potters he could consider himself a dead man. Despite this he knew he had to take the chance. Letting his sister walk into what would only be a certain death was unacceptable. He had to at least warn her and her husband.

"I'm willing to take that chance. She's my sister."

Reluctantly Severus agreed and a few minutes later Jack wrapped his cloak around him, apparating into the dark night air. He found himself outside a familiar residence. Smoke was billowing gout of the chimney as the faint smell of butterbeer wafted out of the house and into the street. Slowly he approached the door, only to have it opened before he could raise his hand to knock.

"What are you doing here?" The angry voice of James Potter greeted him.

"If you'll let me inside I can explain." Jack nervously looked to his left and right, hoping no one had seen him approach the house.

The younger wizard groaned as he stepped aside to allow Jack entrance. He quickly closed the door once Jack was inside; calling for his wife as soon as he'd locked the door.

"Why are you yelling, James? I've only just gotten Harry to sleep." A very perturbed woman came down the steps, stopping in her tracks as she reached the last step and saw her brother standing their holding his cloak in his arms.

"Hey, Lil. How are you?"

Lily Potter paused a moment as she took in the sight before her. It had been months since she'd last seen Jack and he looked far worse than she'd imagined he would.

"What are you doing here, Jack? I thought you'd chosen which side of the family you were loyal to."

He winced at his sister's cutting words as he lowered his head. "You have every right to hate me, Lily, but I had my reasons for what I did."

"You're a Death Eater, Jack. What possible reason could you have for joining HIM!"

Jack could feel the intense hatred in her voice as she spoke the last word, and it saddened him to know he'd caused her so much pain. "I made a promise."

"To who? Why would you turn your back on me…on us?" Lily waved her hand back and forth between her and James. "I want to know why."

He cast a curious glance up at the enraged witch and shook his head. "I would have thought that would have been obvious by now. There are only two people in this world that I would do anything to protect, even from yourselves."

She pondered his words for a moment as the realization hit her. "You can't mean…he couldn't have…he wouldn't…"

A soft sigh was the only response he could give as Lily took the last step down. then slowly approached him. She took him by the arm, leading him to couch, as James quickly turned to leave the room and allow them some privacy.

"I wouldn't leave just yet, James. What I came here to say involves the both of you, and Harry as well."

At the mention of his son, James spun around concern clearly written on his face. "What are you talking about?"

Jack braced himself, taking a deep breath before he spoke again. "You need to take the boy and leave London. Voldemort's coming for you. I don't know when, but you have to go."

James shook his head. "We aren't afraid of him, Jack."

"I never thought you would be, but I've seen…things. You and Lily have to get away from here."

"Jack, what are you talking about?" Lily reached for her brother's hand and held it in hers.

"I don't want to see either of you hurt." He looked from James to his sister as he squeezed Lily's hand tightly. "For 15 years I've had visions of what the future held, and I've done everything I could to keep my sanity through it all. You and James did a lot to help me with that. The visions I've had in the last three days have been nothing short of terrifying. If you don't listen to me you…"

His voice failed him as he dropped his head into his hands. Images from his visions flitted through his mind as he looked up once more to see Lily and James staring blankly at him.

"He's coming for your son. If you care for the boy you'll leave here as soon as you can, you'll take him someplace safe, where Voldemort can't get to him."

"Why would He want Harry?" Lily raised an eyebrow in confusion.

"Because of what lies in your son's future. I can't tell you what it is exactly, but Voldemort doesn't want the boy to live long enough to do it."

James crossed his arms over his chest, shaking his head in disbelief. "You're a right nutter, Jack. Harry's a baby…Even He wouldn't do something as despicable as going after a child."

"If you truly believe that, then you have no idea what you're up against."

Jack opened his eyes as the buried memory began to fade from his mind. A deep sense of regret coursed through him as he lifted his head from the cot he was resting on. Never before had be felt so vulnerable or tried so hard to keep his thoughts so well hidden, and the pressure of it was slowly begin to get to him.

tbc...